Another milestone….. yes, believe it or not, Saturday is my 62nd birthday! Do I feel 62? I will admit, the days when I feel my age are greater than they were last year. MS has kicked my butt a little bit more often this year.
I know I am early but I don’t blog on Saturday’s so I figured today would be a great day for reflection and probably some tears.
I am blessed to have woken up this morning and every morning. No matter what the day may bring, I know it will be WONDERFUL! Am I always this optimistic – NOPE! I’m determined to be positive and make the most of each day. It may take me two hours to clear the fog and get moving but being grateful for each small step it a gift from God.
Birthdays are milestones in our lives. As children, they are a day (or sometimes a week or even a month) where the focus is on us. Filled with presents, parties, family, friends and of course cake and ice cream. As the years go by, life “happens” and things change.
The past year has been filled with many ups and downs. I walked by in the doors of NA almost one year ago – broken and struggling. My Thirty One business has had some really great highs and some all time lows. I’m still trying to get the hang of not having a consistent pay check. I have expanded “Hope’s Angel Connection” and love sharing angels with everyone. The daily realization more memories are lost and struggling to find the right words to say has been big this year. Through it all I hold fast to the mantra “every day is a gift from God with a blessing to be found.”
Truth be told for many years “birthdays” were just another day when low self-esteem and lack of confidence and those nasty inner gremlins made me feel like I didn’t deserve a celebration. I’m great at giving but I’m not very good at receiving. Today, I am looking at them a little differently – have I grown up? Don’t count on it! Entering back into recovery, I realized every day is a gift from God and I am cherishing being able to spend another day with family and friends. The celebration doesn’t need to be big, it doesn’t need to have lots of presents (maybe just one or two would be nice).
As a child, one of my favorite celebrations was the annual trip to New York City to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus. This annual tradition was a treat from Edythe and Elsie. It included the circus and dinner in NY. I always felt so grown up! Both of them are now our guardians angels in heaven and the circus is now gone too.
I have to admit the tears are starting to flow, tears of joy mixed with some sadness:
- I grateful for my daughter, Belinda. She has grown into an AMAZING woman who I am proud to call my friend. Life was not always easy but she turned adversity into a learning lesson. God could not have given me a greater gift than to be her mom. We have had our hurdles this past year but I’m glad we are rebuilding our relationship.
- To my mom….thank you for always being there. We are not just mother and daughter, but we are friends. The miles may separate us but I know you are only a phone call away or a short drive to Mays Landing. You are always one of my biggest cheerleaders. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the support you have given me this year as I traveled the road of recovery, again.
- To my DS/Crafter Friends….words can express the gratitude I have for you. This past year, you have helped in so many ways. Sharing events, carrying my stuff when I am struggling, cheering me on and checking in on me. You have helped me to develop and expand my Angel Connection. Your ongoing support as we entered year 2 of fulfilling a dream to celebrate, and encourage other DS business owners through our networking group, Jersey Shore Direct Sellers Network.
- Lastly, to my hubby (who probably won’t read this)…who is my ROCK! I know I am not the easiest to live with (imagine that?) but you are always there, standing strong and supporting me. Your support and encouragement this year after my relapse has meant more than words can say. Your support and encouragement gives me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. Thank you for being one of my greatest cheerleaders.
There are many more people I could (and probably should) thank or talk about from this year. It has been an AMAZING journey for me and I am looking forward to the blessings God has for me in this new year. I can’t believe I am actually 62 years old – okay, so it is only a number, right?
Stop by my VIP group on Facebook, Hope’s Purse Closet, for a birthday present from ME to YOU!
Hope you have ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 